Gatland To Be Appointed Head Coach

New Zealander Warren Gatland is expected to be announced as the British & Irish Lions Head Coach for the tour to New Zealand in June and July 2017.  

Warren. At Standard Life. In a Lions polo. Having his photo taken. Hmm. #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/RGkzSZm4gl

— Official Old PensRFC (@Old_Pens_RFC) September 6, 2016

He is expected to stand down from his position of Wales Head Coach in order to take on the role full time.

The WRU are preparing a statement to announce the make up of their new coaching team with backs coach Rob Howley likely to be appointed in a caretaker capacity.  This would likely signal the unavailability of Howley to work under Gatland with the British & Irish Lions next summer.

Gatland will be presented to the media alongside British & Irish Lions Chairman Tom Grace and Lions Chief Executive John Feehan on Wednesday at their principle sponsors Scottish HQ, Standard Life House in Edinburgh.

The Kiwi will be looking to deliver a first victory for the Lions since 1971.  It will also be the first time a British & Irish Lions head coach has coached the team against his home nation.

Gatland previously coached the British & Irish Lions to a 2-1 series win against Australia in 2013.